Loading…
- US decision to cut logistical and operational funding has triggered a major financial squeeze for African Union’s peacekeeping presence in Somalia
By Hamza Kyeyune
KAMPALA, Uganda (AA) - Uganda announced Thursday that it has begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia after nearly two decades of military involvement amid mounting financial pressures on the African Union peacekeeping mission following Washington's decision to withdraw its funding and logistical support for the operation.
In a diplomatic note sent on July 1, the US informed the African Union that it would oppose the renewal of the African Union Support and Stabilization Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM) at the UN Security Council if the authorization includes logistical or operational backing from the United Nations Support Office in Somalia (UNSOS).
Washington indicated growing frustration with the Federal Government of Somalia, citing insufficient progress in security sector reforms and a failure by local national forces to take full, independent ownership of their territory after nearly two decades of international intervention. The US also opposed a financial model where international bodies would end up paying for over 90% of the mission's combined costs.
A 25% funding cut by UNSOS tied to the withdrawal of the US’s financial contribution has also impacted frontline operations.
Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, Uganda's Chief of Defense Forces, said Uganda had begun withdrawing its troops from Somalia, setting August 2027 as the target for a full pullout.
"After 20 years of a lot of blood and sacrifice, we are handing over security to our Somali brothers,” Kainerugaba said.
Though the US initially announced an abrupt termination deadline of Dec., 31, 2026, Washington negotiated a 12-month extension with the UN Security Council. Rather than pulling the plug immediately, the US agreed to a phased drawdown of UN logistical services starting in January 2027.
Even with the one-year transition extension, however, the looming loss of US financial backing has placed severe pressure on the peacekeeper framework.
The development comes amid renewed fighting in southern Somalia and uncertainty over the future of international security support as key missions face scheduled end dates.
On Monday, heavy clashes were reported near Burhakaba in the Bay region. Somalia’s federal government also rejected claims that Turkish aircraft had mistakenly struck Somali troops during the fighting.
Uganda became first nation in 2007 to deploy troops to Somalia under the original African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM). Over the last 19 years, the Ugandan army played a central role alongside the Somali National Army in liberating key strategic territories from the Al-Shabaab militant group and safeguarding critical government infrastructure.
Following AMISOM's transition to AUSSOM, which officially commenced operations on Jan. 1, 2025, the mission shifted its focus toward strengthening Somali national security bodies, protecting civilians and preparing Somali forces for a full takeover of national security.
AUSSOM receives essential logistical support from UNSOS including food, water, medical evacuations, fuel and troop transportation through a broader UN support framework with an annual budget of approximately $500 million.
